Collapsible air-chamber seat



Nov. 19, 1929. N. s. HAR'n-:R-

GOLLAPSIBLE AIR CHAMBER SEAT Filed .May 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov 19, 1929. 'N. s. HARTER 1,736,155

coLLAPsIBLE `AIR CHAMBER SEAT Filed May 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 1.9, 192g UNITED f s-As voAHs. HARTER, or WAUKEGAN, ILLiNors, Assieivon 'ro Krim Boar COMPANY, AV

`- EPIC-E COPARTNERSHIP CONSSTING OF NOAH S.` HARTER, ERNEST I-I. HARPER, A. F.

- BEAUBIEN, HARRY CHAEMAN, AND WALTER BILHARS GQLLAPSIBLE Ara-.CHAMBER SEAT Application filed May 19, 1927. Serial No. 192,586.

This invention relates toimprovements inv collapsible seats for any of their uses or purposes, and more particularly to a Vcollapsible seat, automatically inflatable upon extension,v particularly adapted for installation in a boat or vthe like for increasing the buoyancy and preventing the sinking of the same, and highly desirable for use With collapsible portableboats, and which is adapted to function as Van effective and dependable life-saver in case of emergency.

Heretofore in collapsible'airchamber seats it hasbeen necessary to inliatethein With air from the `lungs or bysmall pumps, objectionably slow and laborious methods. Moreover,

to insure the occupants of a boat against danger in case of accident, it has been the cus,- tom to provide the boat with built-in air chambers, thereby adding greatly to the eX* y 2a pense of producing the craft.

With these objections in vieW itis accordingly van object of this invention toprovide Van automatically inflatable andcollapsible seat.

Another'object of this invention is to profvide a portable air chamber seat adapted for installation in a boat'or the Alike for prevent-v ing the same from sinking. 1 Still another object ofy this inventionis to provide a light-Weight collapsible seat having an air chamber therein which is `auto= matically iniated simultaneously'ivith the adjusting of the seat toits operative position. A further object of this invention is. to providean air chamber seat for boats or the like, the air chamber of Which occupies only space that ivould otherwise be Wasted.

. A still further object ofjthis invention is to provide a collapsible air chamber seat adapted to keep a lealry or partially filled boat afloat sufficiently to carry passengers and, v

14 secured'to thejtop board 11. This mavrterial 13 as shoWnin Figure forms sub- 'p permit the boat to be propelled.

'On the draivingsz' f f Figure lis a top plan view ofa device embodying principles of this invention shown positioned in a boat.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional vieiv ltakensubstantially on a line II-ll of Figurev 1. Figure 3 is kan elevation of the device'its'elf With a portion of thel covering removed.

. Figure 4 is aV vertical sectional vietv'taken substantially along line' IV-IV of Figure 8.

Figure 5 is asectional viewgofa portion of the device. Figure 6 1s a top plan View kof another form of the 'device' embodying principlesofthe present invention.

Figure 7 1s a View Vinjelevationv of the' device shown in Figure 6 ivitha portion ofthe covering remove v Figure 8 1s a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line VIII-VIH of i f In the illustrated embodiment lof this in-` shown is of a collapsible type but thep'res` v ent invention, as Will bey obvious from the dis-` closures hereinafter; isadaptable for use With v any type of boat. f

rlhe present invention'concerns itself prin-` cipally With a safety seat 5 andmeans for mounting the same Within a boat. ."lhe mounting means for the seat 5 comprises a pair of' sideboards 6 to each ofy Which is securedaplurality-'of stiffenedfhooks'j. The

hooks 7 have a bent portion for engagement over the gunivales 2, anda bent portion 9 for engagement Vwith the seatf in amanner her'einafter describedjv If the sideboards 6 are;v

for a center seat they,v of course, may b e 'supi plied With the usual oar locks 10, and if they are for anend seat the oarlocks are usually omitted.

The collapsible'seat comprises a top board l1 and a bottom boardl2 Which are entirely covered by a Water-proofmaterial 13, preferably canvas treated With a Water-proofing compound, Which is'held in place-by bands f stantially the sides and endsof the seat 5 and incloses therein an air chamber `15. The top :board 11 ext-ends laterally on eachside beyond the tapering sidesV of the boat 1, and Which are provided With a metal Vstrip 17 having a series of apertures therein for engagement with the port-ion 9 of the double hooks 7, the

supporting fianges 16 being recessed as shown at 18 adjacent the apertures in the strip 17.'

Vto the bottom board 12, whichrlimits the pivotal movement of the rods.

Due to the strip 22I interconnecting the supporting rods 19,

thevsame are actuateduniformly and simultaneously. Attached to one end of the strip 22 is a flexible pull cord 24, preferably a strip of.heavycanvas, andattaclied to the tension strip 23 is a similar'pull cord 25.

7 Secured'rin circular openings 26 provided in thetop' board 11 Aand covering 13, is a pair offflanges 27 and 27 a, which are alike in con-p struction, so only one will be describedherein. y

The ange 27 has a downwardly dependedV portion 28 apertured as shown `at`29, and Y integral therewith and extending inwardly a short distance from the circumference of the l' aperture 29 is a pair of projections 28a whichv areV diametrically Vopposite each other andy each ofy which is substantially rone quarter lthe circumference in length.- An improved `Ywater-tight air-valve or stop plug 30v is provided for covering the apertures 29 and comprises a metaldisc 31 Vhaving a plurality'V of vintegral 'upwardly projecting members 31Y 'which-are diametrically oppositeeachv other andA provide gripping means for turning the stop plug. Secured to the disc 31 by rivets 32 is audiscgasket4 33, preferably of rubber. In `juxtaposed relationship to the gasket 33 there is a thin metal disc 34 which has depending therefrom a pair of clamping members.

35 arcuately bent to conform substantially toV a screwjthread and adaptedfor engagement with the inwardly extending portions 28a` of the depending pai-t28 of the flange 27. Since these. clampingmembers 35 are of substantially one quarter the circumference of the disc 34 the stop 'plug is tightly secured y over the aperture 29 by a quarter turn. A similar plug 30a is provided within the other Vfiange 27 a'. The pull cord 24 is securedto ther stopplugO by rivets 32, and pull cord'25 is similarly secured to the stop plug 30a.

cent itslmidportion is a plurality of straps 3G provided with snap hooks 37 or equivalent securing means for engaging the strap with the keel 4, as shown in Figure 2, to-positively :.;holdt-helseat in positionwithin a boat and to,

Attached to the bottom of the seat 5 adja- 'y k'end thereof andpasses around the nearest .supporting rod 19 and is clamped uponitself prevent the seat from becoming separated from the boat in case the latter is overturned. In the collapsible boat 1 shown in the draw# ing the straps 36 are engaged to the keel 4, Y

but if'it is desired to use the seat in a non- Vcollapsible boat the straps 36 obviously are enga-ged with the keel or keelson of boat, as the case may be.

In operating the device described herein,

flexible side walls 13 due to the weight ofthe top board 11 thereon will cave in, and the desuch a vice will assume the compact position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3the air con tained in the chambers 15 passing out through the flange 27 1. Y .The pull cord.25` is then pushed back through the opening V29, and the stop plug 3()a inserted therein, and the device is now ready for storage or transportation.

To assemblefthe device fromv its `deflated vor collapsed position the stop plug 3Q`is removed and a slight tuo' is exerted on the pull lcord 24" which causes t ie members 19 .toassum'e their upright position at the same-'time forcing the top board 11up into spaced relationship to the bottom board 12 and straightening'the Vcaved-in Vside walls 13. Simultaneous with this operation the device is inflated by ai'r passing through the aperture 29. It is to bey especially noted that the supporting rods 19 e. jy

pass slightlybeyond an exact vertical p'o'si-I tion'and remain inclined a trifle towards the pull cord 24. They are prevented from drop# ping by the tension strip 23 and the seat is rcs' thereby adapted to withstand great pressure exerted on the top board 11 without `c'ol- If the seat is in its inflated position v lapsing. p the pull cord 24 isl pushed back through the opening 29 of the `flange 27 and the stop plug 30 secured therein. Thestop plugs 30 andBO` lil() are positively water-tight due ltoV theirV novel s construction. Y v

The form of this invention disclosed in Figuresto8, inclusive, differs from'the form f disclosed in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive,"only in the positioning ofthe interior supporting rods 19 and the pully cords'. vIn this Yform of' the device the'supporting rods 19 are'in inverted position relativeto the previously described form, and their inwardly bent tips 2O are connected in straps 21 affixed tothe uit dersidejof the top boardll. ki/Ltension'stril) 38 is secured to the top board 11 adjacent one by a'rivet 39 to form a sleevefengaging the supporting rod. This Vstrip continues from the rivet39 to form a pull cord40 connected f sired to use the device in its inflated position,

' to a 'wrkfmifpiugnf .(-pre'femtiyberaten);

and extending therethrough tolpr'ovide a= loop handle 42.*# Thecork 41 is adapted for water= tight engagement with'an aperture143 in the coveringfmaterial 13 and top board'll'." Adjacent the opposite end of the seat,fa pull cord 40 is attached to the flexible' strip22and extends` through an aperture 45 in thefend wall yof the material 13." This pull cord 441is Valso providedwith a handle 46.` v Aroundlthe pull cord 44 adjacent the aperture 45 in the interior of the covering 13,'there yis provided flexiblewatertight'packing 47 to prevent the entrance 'of water into air chamber-15;

The operation of this `form of the present invention is substantially the same as pre# viously' described. `Assuming the device to be ininlated position a tug on-tlie handle 42` simultaneously disengages the' cork 41V and:

exertsl a `tension on the pullucord 40 whereby the supporting rods 19 will collapse and the device *will assume the position shown 4by the dotted lines in Figure 7, the air contained in the chamber 15 passing out through thev aperture 43. To assemble the device it is only necessary to exert a pull on the handle 46 which forces the supporting rods against the bottom board 12 thereby forcing top board 11 upwardly, the device being automatically inflated by air passing through the aperture 43, after which the cork 41 is in-` or the air chamber is rendered unfit for use, the device will still function as the usual type of removable seat.

From the foregoing it is apparent that l have provided a novel collapsible air chamber seat adaptable for use in any boat or the like, as well as in various other ways, and which will prevent the sinking of the boat in which Vit is mounted whether or not the boat is overturned, which overturning could only be accomplished with great diiiiculty since the device due to its position within a boat tends to stabilize Vand prevent the overturning of same.V Obviously too, the present invention affords means Jfor keeping a leaky or partially filled boat aiioat in stable condition without interferring with the operation of the same. Moreover, the device discussed Vherein is extremely light in weight, readily portable, easily operated and installed, is composed of a minimum of parts and may be manufactured at minimum expense.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction l the may 'be vai'lied-througha widerang'ewithout i l departing from theprinc'iples of this inven-f tion: andl, "therefore, do not purpose limiting necessitated by theprio'rart.,v

\ claim as my invention :E

Y 1.5 In folding-seat, a casing,a'top mem-l \"ber, ya bottom member, botloil said lmembers being within said casing', 'laf'plurality' ojpiv' ot'edl supports for 'said'."niembers, and means .for` limit-ing the 'movement' of Vsaid supports;

patent granted hereon,'otherwise than,

U "l 7o 1 l 21A collapsible"seatcomprising afcasing,

a top member, a bottoni member, and vpivoted supporting members disposedV between said.v

top and bottom memberswitliin ysaid casing. lin'f ajcollapsible seat, atop member, al bottommemberand pivotally mounted sup-vy portingmembers disposed between: said iirstf mentioned members and' adapted toyretain the same in spaced' relationship;

4. The combination with aA collapsible seatf comprising a casingga pair of juxtaposed members thereimand supporting means ,be-1

tween said members, yof apair of side boards removably' associated with 'saidf seat, and means on*v said side boards for supporting the same withinaboatQ".

' 5. A device of the the 'keelsonf ofafboat..

6.111 a device of the 'class' described, atopl member, a bottoinmeinber, supportingreds between said members and pivotally secured,r to ,iene 'of said members, and lmeansffor actu:V

ating-'said supporting rods.

7*, n'aidevice'l'of theclassy described, apair ,fr l of juxtaposed'memberaa plurality of ,Sup-v ports between' saidmembers and hingedly se-f;

v 'character described, com? prising waterproof casing, pair of jux-, taposed members therein', Vpivot'ed supports"y between said members, 'and means on the bot? tom of said fcasingfor securing 'the device to"` y asf] its

curedr to one rof'said meinber's,-a strip intern connecting 'said supports` to vpermit simultar-V` neous actuation of said suppnrts, and iiie'ans f Vkv'fuir *SInabollaps'ible seat'gapar of spacedr members, supports pivoted between' said mem?Y for actuating-,said supports.,

bers, 'a flexible strip interconnecting saidvsupports,` 'and means ,including aj cordsfor actuating said members.

pivotally'mounted on yone'vof said members,

a'pull cordforv elevating saidriods to an up-l` right position, means for retaining saidfrods in their upright 'positionagainst pressure,

and apull lcord .for droppingsaid rods to,-

10, A collapsible seatcomprising ya pair of juxtaposed members, supports interconnected andpivotally mounted between said members, l a pull cord for elevating said; supports into i.

heir. horizontal position.

a ,position slightly inclined from the vertical,

airfof ypull y f f1 115 9. :In a device of thefclass described, a pair y' Yol juxtaposedmembers, a plurality ofangu'- lar'l'yy bent supporting rods therebetween. and p a tension strip to prevent further pivotal movement of said supports, and a ullcord fssociated with said tension strip 4or dropping saidisupports. 11.`In a collapsibler seat, a casing, a pair .of spaced members thereinfsaid casing and oneof said membershaving arpair` of aligned apertures therethrough, stop plugs engageable in said apertures, supports between said members,` a pull cord for elevating said supports ysecured to one of said plugs, and a Y pull cord forfdrop ing said supports secured to the other of said) plugs, r i.

12. In a device ofthe class described, a cas-` ing having a pair of apertures therein, a pair Y 'of juxtaposed members Within said casing, a

i plurality of supporting rods pivotally mounted betvveen said members, a'strip interconnecting said rods, a Vpull cord secured to one end of said strip, a tension cord secured to the i other end of said strip and affixed to one of said members, a pull cord secured to said ten.- sion strip, said pull cords extending through said apertures, and" means for maintaining said apertures Water-tight. v i

y The combination with a collapsible air chamber seat having an a erturein the top thereof, of'iianges in sai Y apertures, and a stop plug engageable in said flange and com- Y prising a metal dise, a gasket adj acentthereto,.a second metal disc adjacent said gasket,

a 1lie2le1e. Gesine; e tep member therein, bottom member therein., rvetel means be:

tween Seidmembere,y Ineens Connected teveel@ rvetelv means 'for actuating, the Semef and expand Said easing, vand meeneeelnneeted te said pivotal for collapsing saidv easing.

means for actuatinggtlie same 18. As an article of manufacture, 'a`col.-

and means for actuating said movable means e for collapsing said casing, there being means to admit a1r y to sald ,Casing Slmultaneously with the actuationof said second mentioned l means, and there being means permitting the egress of air vfrom said casing sir'nzultaneously With the actuation of said third mentioned means,

i In testimony whereof Ijhave lhereunto subf scribed myname. 'e Y ,e

- NOAH'` S. HARTER.

apair of'c'lamping members depending from I said second'mentioned disc andv engageable With .projections onsaid angeto form a Water-tight closure.V

1.4. Ina deviceof the class described, a casing having apertures therethrough and coni taining an air chamber therein, flanges in f said apertures, inwardly projecting members y in'said fian'ges, and a stop plugengageable vin said flanges comprising a metal disc, a gas-v ket, and a relatively smaller metal dlsc, and

clamping members depending fromsaid secy Y ondmetal disc engageable With saidproject- 4g; ing members, said clam ing members being arcuatelyshapedeto con Orm substantially to a screw thread. Y

flee. i

l5. In a collapsible device, a casing, meansyWithin said casingfor expanding saiddevice, 91 and means connected to said first mentioned v means extensible Without said casing for actuating said irst mentioned means,

16, In a deviceof'the character described, a casing having an aperture therein, a pair of vspaced, members in said casing, one of said members having an aperture therein in alignment vvith'the aperture in said casing, removable sealing means for said apertures, pivotal means in said casing between said fkmembers, and means connected to said sealing means for actuating said pivotal means to further separateV said members when said seahngmeans are removed, Vair entering-said casingthrough said apertures.

5,5.- f. 1l In adevice of the character described,

i 1ra 

